NBA: Clippers batter Celtics in physical encounter

Reuters, LOS ANGELES

Jared Sullinger of the Boston Celtics is called for a foul as Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers attempts a dunk in their NBA game in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Photo: Reuters

The Los Angeles Clippers left the Boston Celtics battered and bruised in a physical 106-77 victory on Thursday to extend their franchise-record winning streak to 15 games and remain on top of the NBA standings.

Building on contributions from their All-Stars, balanced bench and ferocious defense, the Clippers (23-6) continued to prove they are legitimate title contenders with another impressive home win over a highly regarded opponent.

Reserves Matt Barnes (21 points) and Jamal Crawford (17) led the way as all 11 Los Angeles players who stepped on the Staples Center court put a number in the scoring column.

“The special thing about our team is no one cares who gets the credit,” Clippers point guard Chris Paul told reporters after finishing with eight points and 11 assists. “Right now our entire organization has a winning mentality and we expect nothing less than that.”

At the other end, the Celtics were held to just 40 percent shooting and out-scored 24-10 in the final quarter to complete the formalities of a blowout victory.

Kevin Garnett recorded 16 points, but Boston suffered their fifth loss in seven games and heaviest defeat of the season.

Considered one of the grittier teams in the league, the Celtics (14-14) were no match for the Clippers in a scrappy battle that featured bodies flying around, a flagrant foul and a bloodied lip for Paul Pierce after a collision with Paul.

Boston left the Staples Center clearly frustrated by the reality of being manhandled.

Point guard Rajon Rondo, the NBA’s leading assist man, finished with just six as he failed to reach double figures in that category for the second straight game.

He also tallied 10 points while Pierce added 12.

Los Angeles took a 30-20 lead after the first quarter and gradually increased their advantage after each break.

High-flyer Blake Griffin delighted the home crowd with an array of dunks, netting 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Clippers, who have not lost since a Nov. 26 defeat against the New Orleans Hornets, were aiming for a 16th consecutive victory against the Jazz in Utah yesterday.

Kevin Durant scored 40 points while Russell Westbrook added eight of his 16 points in overtime to help the Thunder beat the Mavericks 111-105 for their 11th straight win at home.

Serge Ibaka added 19 points and matched his season-high with 17 rebounds as Oklahoma City charged back from ten points down in the final 7:17 of regulation and found a way to win after losing back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Darren Collison scored a season-best 32 points for Dallas.

Dirk Nowitzki scored nine points in his second game back after having knee surgery in the offseason, showing some rust down the stretch.

Westbrook turned the game around with six straight points after the Mavs had gone up 104-101 on Chris Kaman’s bucket inside midway through overtime.

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